It was important for Brazil’s peace of mind and spiritual development that he know Hammer had, in fact, driven straight home. He could not trust her unless he knew, with certainty, that she would not betray him and the world by stooping so low as to sneak around with Denny Raines. Brazil drove quickly through Fourth Ward. He was stunned to see an ambulance parked in front of Hammer’s house and her dark blue police car gleaming in the driveway. Brazil’s heart was boxing his ribs as he parked some distance away, staring in horror and disbelief. How in God’s name could she be so blatant?

A madness invaded Brazil’s otherwise sound mind. He got out of his BMW and strode toward the house of the woman he worshiped but no longer respected or would ever speak to or think of or wonder about again. He would air his righteous thoughts, but there would be no violence unless Raines started it. If so, Brazil would sock him to Oz, ace him, smash him. He tried not to think about Raines’s size, or that the paramedic did not appear to be scared of much. Brazil was having second thoughts when Hammer’s front door opened.

Raines and another paramedic wheeled out a stretcher bearing a fat older man. Chief Hammer followed and seemed in shock, and Brazil was stunned and baffled in the middle of Pine Street. Hammer was distraught as practiced hands loaded her husband into the ambulance.

“You sure you don’t want me to ride with you?” Hammer asked the fat man.

“I’m sure.” The fat man was in pain and sluggish, perhaps from whatever was dripping into him intravenously.

“Well, have it your way,” Hammer told him.

“I don’t want her coming,” the fat man instructed Raines.

“Not to worry.” Hammer sounded hurt as she walked back to the house.

She stood in the doorway, watching the ambulance drive off. Squinting, she noticed Brazil on her dark street, staring. She recognized him, and it all came back to her. Oh Christ. As if she didn’t have problems enough.

“I tried to get you earlier. Give me a chance to explain,” she called out to him.

Now he was completely baffled. “Excuse me?” He stepped closer.

“Come here.” Hammer wearily motioned to him.

He sat on her porch swing. She turned out the light and sat on the steps, certain this young man must think she was the biggest, most dishonest bureaucrat he had ever encountered. Hammer knew this might be the night her controversial community policing project would go to hell along with everything else.

“Andy,” she began, ”you’ve got to believe that I said nothing to anyone. I swear I kept my promise to you.”

“What?” He was getting a very bad feeling. “What promise?”

She realized he did not know. “Oh God,” she mumbled. “You didn’t hear the news tonight?”

“No, ma’am. What news?” He was getting excited, his voice rising.

Hammer told him about Channel 3 and Webb’s scoop.